29 
the visitors to the grounds. These labels had not only the 
positive educational merit of giving the public accurate informa- 
tion concerning scientific methods of soil treatment, but also 
undoubtedly had the effect of thwarting adverse criticism of the, 
at times, necessarily somewhat untidy appearance of the area. 
These soil improvement operations will be completed during 
1912. It should be emphasized here that the total cost of all! 
the soil improvement work done during 1911 on this meadow, 
including labor and the purchase of fertilizer, was only $1,303.64. 
he work remaining to be done in 1912 in order to complete 
the job will cost about as much again, so that the total expense 
will probably not greatly exceed $2,600, as against $50,000, the 
estimated cost of top-soiling. 
Custodianship of the Grounds 
In paragraph 12 of the agreement between the City of New 
York and the Institute it is specified that the City shall provide 
adequate police protection for the Garden, On every Sunday 
and holiday, in addition to the regular officer detailed, the 
grounds have been placed in the custody of the head gardener, 
with three assistants, each two of the four men being on duty 
-alternately. By this arrangement, not only is the opening and 
closing of the grounds and the watering of the plants provided 
for on Sundays and holidays, but visitors find a properly quali- 
fied representative of the Garden to answer inquiries concerning 
the plantations and other Garden matters. By this arrangement, 
also, such supervision or oversight of our collections and other 
property is assured as would not properly come within the prov- 
ince of the police officer. Appropriate uniforms have been pro- 
vided for Garden officials when thus on duty. On days other 
than Sundays and holidays the grounds are in the immediate 
care of the head gardener and aids, and other Garden officers 
are also present. 
Hours of Opening and Closing 
On account of the unusual nature of our planting, it is essen- 
tial to exercise much closer supervision of the grounds than is 
needed in an ordinary city park. In this connection it is neces- 
sary for us to control, as far as possible, all entrance and exit. 
The hour of opening has been fixed at 8 A. M., and of closing 
